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As we move through this season of gratitude and generosity, I want to take a moment to lift up the quiet but powerful ways our church continues to share love in our community.

GIFT of LOVE – Our Gift of Love Fund is one of the most tangible ways we put compassion into action. This discretionary fund allows us to help those facing hardship—both within our congregation and beyond it. Through your gifts, we’re able to assist with rent, food, gas, medical expenses, and other urgent needs. Rather than giving funds directly to individuals, we pay the bill or account on their behalf. Many requests come to us through local school counselors at Crestwood, who know when a family is struggling. Alongside our Kids’ Weekend Meals and other food ministries, these quiet acts of care embody what it means to be the hands and heart of Christ in our neighborhood. Thank you for your faithful giving and your prayers that sustain this ministry of compassion.

ALL SAINTS WORSHIP – I also want to express heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make last week’s All Saints Day Service so meaningful—especially Rick Painley, Kathleen Lewarchick, Christina Brant, Jan Green, and others who helped plan, prepare, and lead. It was a beautiful celebration of those whose light still shines in our memories and whose faith continues to guide us.

PLEDGE CARDS – Thanks also to everyone who gave their pledges in worship! If you haven’t done so yet, please fill out a pledge card so that our Stewardship and Finance Team can plan accordingly for our 2026 MCCC Budget! 

This Sunday, we’ll explore a fascinating story from 2 Kings 5 about a man named Naaman—a character many may not have heard of before. His story invites us to think about humility, healing, and the surprising ways God works through small, simple acts. I think you’ll find it both challenging and hopeful.

Let’s continue to be a people who listen for God’s quiet nudges and respond with Open Minds, Open Hearts, and Open Arms. 

Peace,
Pastor Chad

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MCCC Announcements – November 9, 2025

MCCC Announcements – November 9, 2025

1. The Mitten Tree mission will continue through the month of November. We are asking for donations of hats, scarves, mittens, & gloves in all sizes. Especially needed are items for teenagers or young adult sizes. Items may be store bought or handmade. These items will be distributed to some of the kids Weekend Meal families and anything left over will be donated to Portage County charities. Your donations may be placed in the large plastic bin at the rear of our church. Please help us provide items for those in need!
2. Please save the date for our Annual MCCC Christmas Party on December 14th in the Fellowship Hall. Stay tuned for the time!
3. “Dwelling in the Word” continues every Wednesday from 1:30 – 2:30 pm with Pastor Chad!. Please come and join in our scripture discussions!
4. Life Study: Big Ideas, Small Practices with Kathleen Leigh-Lewarchick! Don’t forget that every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 pm Life Study has resumed. Join us in the Campbell Room for “Big Ideas, Small Practices”. Each session we will meet to explore some of the big Christian theologies alongside one of the spiritual practices. Each week brings a different topic and a different practice,
   e.g. 1) Creation Doctrine and Terra Divina, or 2)The Doctrine of the Trinity and Lectio Divina. 
5. Attention Hilltop Knitters! We are on our regular schedule, meeting on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month, from 1:30-3pm. All yarn and hand work creators are welcome to come, work on their projects, and visit!
6. We are in the process of planning a MCCC Winter Retreat at Camp Christian! This would be a weekend from a Friday night to Sunday mid-morning. We would stay in the lodge, eat meals together there (and sing some camp songs!), have a guest speaker or workshop and potentially do a service project at camp. For younger kids, we will lead an activity or a craft so adults can participate with the workshop/speaker. We’d also incorporate some free time for reading, relaxing, going for a walk, or games! We’re still very much in the planning stages, so your input is appreciated! Camp is BEAUTIFUL in the winter, and with a fire in the fireplace in the lodge, it is so peaceful. As of right now, we’re between 2 dates– February 6th-8th, or January 30th-February 1st. If you’d be interested in attending, please fill out this form! This is not a commitment, just to help us get an idea of interest and preference. If you are interested but the form is giving you issues, please email Ally Bozeka (ally.hurd@gmail.com) so she can collect your response.
7. Story Time is held every Tuesday from 10:30-11:30am – ALL kids are welcome – no fees. Includes a reading time, music, crafts, etc. Questions? Contact Pam Auble (216) 308-7930.
8. The next date for the Free Clothing & Diaper Giveaway is Saturday, November 15th, from 9am-12 noon at St. Joseph school building. Spread the word – ALL ARE WELCOME!! This will be the LAST Giveaway for 2025. The ONLY clothing shed that is utilized for the Free Clothing Giveaway is on the south side of the MCCC parking lot, and it is currently open for donations! They need diapers (Revised sizes needed are: 2T, 3T, 5) & baby wipes, large black trash bags (30-33 gal), and regular trash bags (13 gal.). You can bring the baby items or trash bags to the church at your convenience by leaving them in the outside bin at the lower-level entrance of the church, OR bring them on October 26th to donate with the 4C’s food collection during worship. Questions? Call Nancy Tafel at (330) 416-0752. Thank you for your support.
9. Remember to save your can tabs (from soup, pop, pet food, etc!) The collection jar is located just inside the lower-level entrance window. After collecting the tabs, please drop them in the jar at your convenience. The proceeds will benefit research for NFS (Neurofibromatosis) – a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. (Family members within our community are currently afflicted with this disorder.) Thanks to Mike & Pat Hoskin for collecting these tabs to raise awareness and money for research.

Mantua Community Events

1. The Mantua Area Restoration Society (MARSI) continues to have suppers at the old Mantua Center School on the 2nd Friday of each month from 4-7pm and it’s open to ALL! The “2nd Fridays Supper” is by donation only. Join us on Friday, November 14th and take a night off from cooking! They even have live music provided by our own MCCC member, Steve Stork, for your enjoyment!
2. Activities for the “older generation” are happening in Mantua! The Crestwood Community Center meets every Wednesday at 4810 East High Street in the Mantua Lodge at Buchert Park, from 11am – 3pm. Check out updates on our website: https://sites.google.com/view/crestwoodcommunitycenter/home or at Crestwood Community Center on Facebook. You can also email: CrestwoodCommunityCenter@gmail.com